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Collector reveals what he’ll do with $6.2 million ‘banana taped to wall’ art
The conceptual artwork was sold last Wednesday at an auction in New York.
Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan’s work, “Comedian,” became a sensation when it debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach. Attendees were left wondering if the banana duct-taped to a wall was a joke or a critique of the art world’s standards. At one point, another artist even ate the banana.
The piece drew significant attention due to its unusual nature. Despite this, it was eventually removed from display, and three editions were sold for between $130,000 and $160,000, according to gallery organizers.
Five years later, another sale of this piece occurred, fetching 40 times its initial value and achieving its highest price at a Sotheby’s auction. The certificate granting the right to tape a banana to a wall and call it “Comedian” sold for $6.2 million.
Buyer says ‘I will personally eat the banana'
The bidding started at $870,000, quickly rising to $2 million, then $3 million, and finally $4 million, with the artist joking, “It’s getting a lot of love in the auction room.” The final price was announced as $5.2 million, excluding about $1 million in auction house fees.
Sotheby’s describes Cattelan as “one of contemporary art’s most brilliant provocateurs,” noting that he has consistently challenged the art world’s status quo in significant, irreverent, and often controversial ways.
It was bought by cryptocurrency platform TRON founder Justin Sun, who said online that “this is not just an artwork; it represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community. I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history. I am honored to be the proud owner of the banana and look forward to it sparking further inspiration and impact for art enthusiasts around the world.
“Additionally, in the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture. Stay tuned!”
$121 million painting sold
Despite the buzz around Cattelan’s work, a day earlier, one of the biggest art sales in the auction house’s history took place. Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte sold his work “The Empire of Light” for $121 million, setting a new record for the artist. The painting depicts an eerie nighttime urban landscape under a dark blue daytime sky.
This sale elevates Magritte into the elite group of artists whose works have sold for over $100 million at auction. Magritte is the sixteenth member of this club, which includes luminaries like Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol, according to market analyst Artprice. Marc Porter, chairman of Christie’s Americas, called the sale “a historic moment in our auction room.”
The $121.2 million price tag included all relevant auction house fees. The bid was placed over the phone by an anonymous buyer.
Original article written by Luis Méndez, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Joe Brennan.
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